Writing & StyleStyle guide

Trial Design Domains in FDA Study Data

FDA’s June 2026 guide says, unless the simplified ts.xpt pathway applies, all Trial Design Model datasets should accompany each SDTM study submission to describe planned conduct.

Quick answer

Include the applicable Trial Design Model datasets with an SDTM study submission unless the current FDA guidance indicates the simplified ts.xpt pathway; use the current guide for relevant Trial Summary parameters.

Key details

Core IssueFDA’s June 2026 guide says, unless the simplified ts.xpt pathway applies, all Trial Design Model datasets should accompany each SDTM study submission to describe planned conduct.
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Important caveats

Scope Boundary

This is current FDA technical-conformance guidance for electronic study-data submissions; recheck the current FDA guide, supported standards, Data Standards Catalog, and eCTD specifications before relying on version-sensitive requirements.

Further guidance

Content

This is current FDA technical-conformance guidance for electronic study-data submissions; recheck the current FDA guide, supported standards, Data Standards Catalog, and eCTD specifications before relying on version-sensitive requirements.

Purpose

Include the applicable Trial Design Model datasets with an SDTM study submission unless the current FDA guidance indicates the simplified ts.xpt pathway; use the current guide for relevant Trial Summary parameters.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. Study Data Technical Conformance Guide - Technical Specifications Document (opens in a new tab)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Current FDA technical specifications for standardized clinical and nonclinical study-data submissions, including reviewer guides, datasets and eCTD organization.

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